'Welcome home' ceremony Sat. for NE Ga-based guard unit

Utility workers held a large American flag over the parade route in downtown Elberton last February. The parade was part of ceremonies marking the guardsmen's deployment to Afghanistan. (Photo/Rob Moore)

ELBERTON - They'll roll out the red carpet in Elberton Saturday for a Georgia Army National Guard unit that has returned from six months in Afghanistan.

More than 200 guard members returned home recently after spending six months in Afghanistan.

Here are the details for the ceremony as provided by the Georgia Department of Defense:

What: Georgia Army National Guard’s 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade is welcoming home on Saturday over 200 Guardsmen with the 1-214th Field Artillery Battalion from nearly a year in Afghanistan where they conducted base defense operations in Western Afghanistan.

When: Saturday, Jan. 10, 11 am

Where: Good weather - The "Granite Bowl” Football Field.
Inclement Weather: The "Rock" Gym (Next door to the football field)

Who: Elberton Mayor Larry Guest; Elbert County Administrator Bob Thomas; Brig. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Command General Georgia Army National Guard; Col. Randal S. Carter, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Commander; representatives of state and local government; the soldiers of the 1-214th Field Artillery and their families.

The 1-214th Field Artillery Battalion conducted base defense operations in Western Afghanistan from May to Dec. 2013. The 1-214th was responsible for command and control of all base defense activities in an area covering approximately 315 square kilometers. Operation of the base entry control point, flight line security and patrolling were major components of their operations.